On 27th January 1997 a 22-year old Mikey set up a round table in a smoky bar in the relatively empty Vibe Bar, part of the newly reopened Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. The concept was simple. I would sit in the middle of the table and pass a microphone around to people on the outside. It was only supposed to happen once as an experiment. Fifteen years later Talkaoke is a multi thousand pound industry, employing four people full time and ten part timers and freelancers.
To celebrate the occasion The People Speak studio ran two Talkaoke's simultaneously in to separate rooms. This table was in the main foyer space where the conversation was much more serious.